List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia

Nowadays, List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide public. For years, List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia has sparked debates, research and reflections in different areas, including politics, society, culture and science. Its impact has been so significant that it has left its mark on history, marking a before and after in the way we approach certain aspects of our daily lives. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the meaning and importance of List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia, analyzing its influence on different aspects of our reality and its relevance in the current context.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

The following is a list of most valuable celebrity memorabilia (or most expensive celebrities items auctioned) sold with an auction price of over $USD 1.5 million. It includes personal belongings of public figures such as music artists, actors, athletes, models and socialites, and encompass any collectibles items sold at auction, from jewelry, musical instruments to manuscripts and famous costumes worn in events or projects.

The list does not include film props such as Robby the Robot and Batmobile, sport cards, auctioned musical instruments by manufacturers, or expensive things bought by, and, collectibles purchases made by a celebrity.

As of 2025, the most valued sports collectible item ever sold is Babe Ruth's jersey for the 1932 World Series, at over $24 million, and in film history, the Ruby slippers of Dorothy Gale by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz for over $32 million.

Most expensive items

Key
‡ Current record holder for the category
Celebrity or item Purchase price Type Date of sale Seller Buyer Namesake or item photo Ref.
Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland (as Dorothy Gale) $32 million Shoes 2024 Heritage Auctions E-Land Group [1]
Babe Ruth's 1932 World Series jersey $24.1 million Sportswear 2024 Heritage Auctions [2]
Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona $17.8 million Watch 2017 Phillips Auction [3]
Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey $10.1 million Sportswear 2023 Sotheby's [4]
Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" 1986 World Cup jersey $9.3 million Sportswear 2022 Sotheby's [4][5]
Elizabeth Taylor Diamond $8.8 million Jewelry 2011 Christie's [6]
Kurt Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E Guitar $6 million Musical instrument 2020 Julien's Auctions [7]
Babe Ruth's 1928-1930 New York Yankees jersey $5.64 million Sportswear 2019 Sotheby's [5]
White dress of Marilyn Monroe $5.6 million Dress 2011 Profiles in History [8]
Marlon Brando's Rolex GMT-Master $5.1 million Watch 2023 Phillips Auction [9]
Marilyn Monroe's Happy Birthday, Mr. President dress $4.8 million Dress 2016 Julien's Auctions Jim Pattison [10]
Audrey Hepburn's My Fair Lady dress $4.5 million Dress 2011 Profiles in History [8]
Kurt Cobain's Blue Fender Mustang $4.5 million Musical instrument 2022 Julien's Auctions [11]
Elizabeth Taylor's Mike Todd Tiara $4.2 million Jewelry 2011 Christie's [12]
David Gilmour's The Black Strat $3.95 million Musical instrument 2019 Christie's Jim Irsay [13]
Eddie Van Halen's Kramer Guitars $3.932 million Musical instrument 2023 Sotheby's [14]
Mark McGwire's 70th-home-run baseball $3 million Sport memorabilia 1999 Guernsey's Todd McFarlane [15][16]
Hat worn by Margaret Hamilton (as Wicked Witch of the West) $2.93 million Clothing 2024 Heritage Auctions [1]
John Lennon's Framus Hootenanny $2.85 million Musical instrument 2024 Julien's Auctions [17]
John Lennon's Gibson J-160E $2.4 million Musical instrument 2014 Julien's Auctions Anonymous [18]
The Beatles's Drumhead $2.1 million Musical instrument 2015 Julien's Auctions Jim Irsay [19]
"Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan ‡ $2.045 million Music manuscript 2014 Sotheby's [20]
Jerry Garcia's Wolf Guitar $1.9 million Musical instrument 2017 Guernsey's Brian Halligan [21]
Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket $1.8 million Clothing 2011 Julien's Auctions Milton Verret [22]
David Gilmour's 1954 Fender Stratocaster $1.8 million Musical instrument 2019 Christie's [13]
Barbara Sinatra's engagement ring $1.7 million Jewelry 2018 Sotheby's [23]
Eric Clapton's Rolex Crazy Doc $1.6 million Watch 2022 Phillips Auction [24]
Kurt Cobain's Sky Stang 1 1993 Fender Mustang $1.58 million Musical instrument 2020 Julien's Auctions Mitsuru Sato [25]
Judy Garland's Wizard of Oz dress $1.56 million Dress 2011 Turner Classic Movies Anonymous [8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Gomez, Julia (December 8, 2024). "Dorothy's ruby slippers featured in 'The Wizard of Oz' auction for over $30 million". USA Today. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  2. ^ "Baseball legend Babe Ruth's shirt breaks sports memorabilia auction record". Al Jazeera Media Network. August 26, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  3. ^ Slawson, Nicola (October 28, 2017). "Paul Newman's Rolex watch sells for record $17.8m". The Guardian. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Slawson, Nicola (January 26, 2023). "Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey sells for $10.1 million". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Hamilton, Tom (May 4, 2022). "Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' jersey sells for world-record price at auction". ESPN. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  6. ^ Isherwood, Charles (December 16, 2011). "Once a Star, Always a Star". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  7. ^ Kreps, Daniel (June 20, 2020). "Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' Guitar Sells for $6 Million at Auction". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Allaire, Christian (April 25, 2024). "The Most Expensive Dresses Ever Sold at Auction". Vogue. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Hartov, Oren (November 8, 2023). "Marlon Brando's Customized Rolex Just Sold for $5 Million". GQ. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  10. ^ "Marilyn's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' Dress Sells for $4.8M". NBC News. Reuters. November 18, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Mei, Juliana (May 23, 2022). "Kurt Cobain's iconic blue Fender Mustang fetches $4.5 million at auction". Guitar.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  12. ^ Malach, Hannah (May 29, 2024). "What Happened to Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection? Her Massive Diamonds, Historic Pearls and More". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Grow, Kory (June 20, 2019). "David Gilmour's Guitars Sell for Millions at Charity Auction". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  14. ^ Erickson, Anne (April 20, 2023). "Eddie Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" Guitar Sells for Nearly $4 Million at Auction". Consequence. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  15. ^ "Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia". Time. p. 10. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Most expensive baseball sold at auction". Guinness World Records. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  17. ^ Saad, Nardine; Goldberg, Noah (May 31, 2024). "John Lennon's newly repaired 12-string 'Help!' guitar sells for a record $2.85 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "John Lennon's guitar sold for $2.4m at auction". The Guardian. Reuters. November 8, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  19. ^ Lindquist, David (November 10, 2015). "Beatles drum head is Jim Irsay's latest purchase". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "Bob Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone manuscript sells for over $2m". The Guardian. Associated Press. June 24, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  21. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 1, 2017). "Jerry Garcia's Legendary Wolf Guitar Sells for $1.9 Million at Auction". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  22. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (June 27, 2011). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Jacket Sold For $1.8 Million". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  23. ^ "Sinatra memorabilia, jewellry on sale in New York". France 24. AFP. May 12, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  24. ^ Sheppard, Amanda (May 6, 2022). "Eric Clapton's Crazy Doc Rolex may fetch US$1.6 million at auction – plus 4 more highlights from Phillips' Geneva Watch Auction: XV, including Patek Philippes and an Audemars Piguet". South China Morning Post. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  25. ^ Gardner, Josh (2024). "The 15 Most Expensive Guitars Sold At Auction". Guitar.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.